Writing:                                                                                        Linking words 

      I.            Definition:

Linking words are words that help us to connect ideas and sentences when we speak or write English.

We can use linking words to give examples, add information, summarise, sequence information, give a reason or result, or to contrast ideas.

Example : Let’s take this 3 sentences:

• I bought a dog.
• I really wanted a pet.
• now I wish I hadn’t!

Using 2 linking words which are: Because & However we will link all the 3 previous sentences to make them as one sentence that have a clear meaning.

I bought a dog because I really wanted a pet. However, now I wish I hadn’t!

   II.            Most commonly used Linking Words :

Addition	Cause and effect  (result)	Concession and contrast	Expressing purpose	Giving examples	Sequencing ideas
o   ….And …. o   Also…. o   ….Too o   ….As well o   In addition to…. o   Not only … but also.. o   Besides….	o   Because…. o   Because of+ noun…. o   Due to+ noun o   so…. o   Thanks to…. o   Consequently…. o   Therefore….	o   …but…. o   Whille o   On the other hand…. o   …whereas… o   yet…. o   However…. o   Although…. o   Though…. o   Despite + noun o   In spite of+ noun…. o   nevertheless….	o   To…. o   In order to…. o   So as to…. o   So that…. o   for….	o   For example o   For instance o   As o   Like o   Such as o   Examples include o   One example is	o   First of all o   Then o   Before o   After o   Later o   While o   Once o   Suddenly o   As soon as o   At/in the end

 

1.     Addition:

Linking words	Examples
And	He spoke English and French
Also	Ahmed, Bilal and Issam would also attend
Too	He loves his sisters, and his brothers too
As well	He speaks English and French as well
Besides	Besides French, he speaks English
Not only … but…. also	The car not only is economical but also feels good to drive

 

2.     Cause and effect:

Linking words	Examples
Because	Because it was raining, the match was postponed. The match was postponed, because it was raining.
Because of + noun Due to + noun	Because of bad weather, the football match was postponed Due to the weather, the picnic was cancelled.
So	He had an exam, so he started revising
Therefore	You have an exam, therefore, you must revise your lessons
Consequently	I was sleeping, consequently, I didn’t hear the bell 

 

3.     Concession and Contrast:

Linking words	Examples
But	He works hard, but he doesn’t earn much
However	He works hard. However, he doesn’t earn much
Although	Although it was cold, she went out in shorts
Despite +noun In spite of +noun	Despite  the cold (noun), she went out in shorts. In spite of the cold (noun), she went out in shorts.
Nevertheless	My salary is really low, nevertheless I find the work incredibly rewarding

 

4.     Expressing purpose:

Linking words	Examples
To	To learn a new language, the best way is to read many books.
In order to	She had to work full-time in order to earn a living for herself and her family.
So that	I’ll go by car so that I can take more luggage.
For	I wear these old trousers for painting.

 

5.     Giving examples:

Linking words	Examples
For example	I prefer powerful colors, for example red and blue.
For instance	I prefer revising my lessons by visiting e-learning websites in the net, for instance English.com is a rich website, you can find all the information that you are looking for

 

6.     Sequencing ideas:

Linking words	Examples
First of all	First of all, I want you to listen carefully
Then	Read the examples, then do the same
Before	Read the question carefully before answering
After	After you answer the questions, make sure you didn’t forget anyone.
Later	A few hours later, he came back home.
While	While I was watching TV the phone rang
Once	Once you finish you can go
Suddenly	I was walking, suddenly I noticed that someone is following me
As soon as	As soon as I have the information, I’ll tell you
At / In the end	In the end, his teacher asked him to stay in class